Polly
Polly is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Bitterness, wished-for child, or beloved.
Origin and history
Polly originated as an English diminutive variant of Molly, which itself derives from Mary. Historically common as a independent name, it peaked in popularity during the late 19th and mid-20th centuries. Today, it remains a charming vintage classic in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
29,684 babies in the United States have been named Polly since 1880. It ranks #837 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1684.
States where it is most popular
- NC (7.2 %)
- TX (7.2 %)
- OH (6.3 %)
- KY (5.8 %)
- CA (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 476 |
| 1890-1900 | 661 |
| 1900-1910 | 753 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,919 |
| 1920-1930 | 3,324 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,864 |
| 1940-1950 | 4,301 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,068 |
| 1960-1970 | 5,030 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,967 |
| 1980-1990 | 689 |
| 1990-2000 | 425 |
| 2000-2010 | 322 |
| 2010-2019 | 468 |
| 2020-2029 | 417 |
Famous people named Polly
- Polly Draper: Actress, Director
- Polly Walker: Actress
- Polly Holliday: Actress
Nicknames
Pol, Polls
Fun facts
- Polly arose from the medieval English custom of replacing the letter M with P in rhyming diminutives, similar to how Bob came from Rob.
- The name appears widely in classic literature, including Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer featuring Aunt Polly.